| By: Jessica Ackerman |
What It Is Underground homes and hotels are basically carved into the ground. Think of them as buildings that are all basement. While some architects have designed models that sit above ground and are covered with a grassy roof, most choose to stick with underground designs. Not only are underground homes more eco-friendly in terms of roofing materials, they are also advantageous to heating and cooling costs. The earth provides natural insulation for the structure and keeps it cool in the warmer weather and warm in the cooler weather.
For those who are concerned about available energy resources, this is excellent news. Another plus for the underground home or commercial building design is that it provides natural protection from the elements. Hurricanes are no match for these underground structures, which makes them ideal for tropical climates and island living.
Roofing Options
Depending on the style of underground home that is selected, the roofing options will also vary. For the most part, a sustainable grass roof is used to cover the entirety of the buildings roof. Of course, a strong roof structure is placed beneath the layer of soil and grass, but the natural covering provides excellent protection and insulation. For those buildings that are built only partially underground, the designing trend is to create roof lines that resemble rolling hills. This gives the illusion of a natural landscape and provides a smooth surface for the natural grass covering.
Other Ideas
In addition to just planting grass, some designers have worked gardens into the roof top design. Herb gardens, as well as, vegetable gardens and orchards can also be seen in drawings and plans for such structures. This creates an extremely practical and efficient method of covering the roof while also providing food for those within the structure. Hotels may find that their kitchen costs are greatly reduced when gardens are grown on their roof and chefs are able to gather the freshest crops for their dishes.
Golf resorts can also take full advantage of an underground hotel's green roof. While not a mainstream idea as of yet, underground homes and commercial structures have many great things to offer those who are willing to invest in such a project. Eco-friendly in both ground cover and sustainability, an underground home will use less energy than a traditional above-ground home. If you are looking for a truly unique building, consider hiring an architect skilled in designing underground structures and create a one-of-a-kind home that you will be sure to love.
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